This Farm Cider is made from fruit grown in our high elevation, regenerative orchard at Oakley Farm, located in Bath County, Virginia.

Site
Oakley Farm - Warm Springs, Bath County Virginia 2400’ elevation
-High-density orchard on G11 rootstock planted in 2019 located in the ‘hay field’, site of the farm’s original 19th century orchard planted by the Francisco family.
-Soil composition: Hayter loam on top of Ordovician limestone.
-Practicing regenerative organic farming. Bio-intensive rotation of poultry and sheep, rotational cover crops within drip lines. No use of heavy metal sprays, no cultivation. Biannual biological mowing only.

Fruit
41% Golden Hornet, 21% Seedlings from Oakley, 17% Wickson, 11% Golden Russet, 10% Redfield

Vinification
Fruit was picked in middle weeks of October, signaling the end of harvest. All fruit was ground and pressed directly to a neutral French oak barrel in the following weeks. An uninoculated, native primary fermentation carried out over the fall and the barrel was briefly stirred to encourage a natural malolactic fermentation. Seedling apples were harvested at varying points of the season from the farm and collectively pressed to a glass demijohn to ferment before being added to top up the barrel. The cider sat undisturbed for nearly a year before it was racked off its gross/fine lees and bottled still in October of 2023. No additions of SO2 were made at any stage of this wine.

Notes
Although the other two Oakley Farm Ciders this release feature a single varietal more prominently, most ciders from this orchard will be field blends evolving around time of harvest. The End of Harvest cider is no exception, showcasing power and concentration resulting from fruit that hung on the trees until the fall’s first frosts. Dark honey, ripe melon erupt out of the glass and taut tannin coats all parts of the mouth. The cider is acid forward but balanced by a somewhat viscous body. Concentrated and punchy, true bittersharp profile but American not British. We elected to leave this cider still believing it has an opportunity to show its complexity better on its own. Drink now or lay down for a fun taste in years to come. Drink slowly and allow the cider to warm from its refrigeration.

22 cases produced. 9% Alc. by Volume, 750ml

Label artwork by Molly Reeder.

*Available for shipments in Virginia & Washington DC OR pick-up at Oakley Farm. Ship to other states here. Shipments may be delayed based on temperatures.